President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko met with the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches in the Vatican, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"I am familiar in detail with your visit. I am very glad that you remembered Belarus and that you liked Belarus, that you liked our people. Everyone. Not only Catholics, but Orthodox Christians. And other people. And even Muslims perceived your visit very well. This indicates that your impact in Belarus, forgive the tautology, has not been without a trace," said the head of state. - Therefore, I am sincerely glad to meet with you. I remember all our meetings, conversations, negotiations, the commitments that we are fulfilling, have fulfilled, or have not fulfilled something – today we will talk frankly and in a friendly manner about this. I am very glad to meet and discuss all the issues that may have accumulated in our relations."
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti is visiting Belarus as a special envoy of Pope Leo XIV to participate in the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Pinsk. It was founded on October 25, 1925, and is currently one of the four Catholic dioceses in Belarus, covering the territory of Brest and Gomel regions. The Vatican representative served as the Apostolic Nuncio in Belarus from 2011 to 2015.
Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Claudio Gugerotti on his very successful service: "I have also been observing closely. I am very happy for you. And I always believe that there is a small piece of the Belarusian soul in your success. Therefore, we welcome you here. Come anytime. I don't know what visa he needs. He is practically one of us, a Belarusian."
In turn, Claudio Gugerotti confirmed that a visa is indeed required and obtaining it takes approximately 15 days.
"No, we will resolve the issue so that you can come to Belarus at any time without any 15 days. You are not a stranger to us," assured the Belarusian leader.
Claudio Gugerotti noted that he is very pleased that the Pope chose him specifically for the trip to Belarus for the festive events. "Perhaps because he knows that I like Belarus," he said.
"Such a holiday in Pinsk, Brest, Gomel. The meeting with people was magnificent. Because you can see they are smiling. I feel there is hope. There are young people. There are boys, children. This means they understand that the future is bright if we all work together," emphasized Claudio Gugerotti.
Speaking about the problems existing in Europe and the world, the Vatican representative noted that differences should not hinder dialogue. "Dialogue is important. To look each other in the eye, to understand that we have the same thing – a soul. Then everything is possible when you feel that you respect and love a person. The future is in our hands and in God's hands," he stated.
"I fully agree," said Alexander Lukashenko.